Regal Cinemas Picks Up ‘Girl Rising’ Following Big Online Demand

Regal Cinemas has picked up Girl Rising, an indie directed by Richard E. Robbins that until now had only been available via on-demand theatrical distribution at crowdsourcing site Gathr. Narrated by Cate Blanchett, Priyanka Chopra, Selena Gomez, Anne Hathaway, Salma Hayek, Alicia Keys, Chloë Grace Moretz, Liam Neeson, Frieda Pinto, Meryl Streep and Kerry Washington, the social-issues documentary details stories of girls from around the globe who are fighting against their circumstances. Regal has set a week-long engagement starting April 19 in more than 150 theaters across the country. At Gathr, the film generated more than 17,000 screening requests with 65,000 tickets reserved.

“With Girl Rising, we took a risk on a new model of on-demand theatrical distribution, and the leap of faith paid dividends,” said The Documentary Group’s Tom Yellin. “We’ve established a new model for impact filmmaking, to build a movement — and an audience — around a film. Regal joining this effort means an opportunity for people everywhere to see this beautiful and important film.” A portion of all ticket sales at Regal Cinemas, United Artists and Edwards Theatres will go to the 10×10 Fund for Girls Education.

Produced by The Documentary Group and Vulcan Productions, Girl Rising was picked up by CNN Films for air this spring. Exec producers are Yellin, Holly Gordon, Paul G. Allen and Jody Allen.